Articulated tonneau cover

Abstract

An articulated tonneau cover having a center panel and right and left corner panels that are pivotally connected to the center panel. Right and left corner panels are moved between an extended position in which the corner panels are adjacent to right and left edges of the center panel and a retracted position in which the right and left corner panels are inboard of the center panel. A motor drives the corner panels between their extended and retracted positions. Cam ramp pivots shift the corner panels vertically as they are pivoted relative to the center panel so that the corner panels are substantially coplanar with the center panel when they are in their extended position. When the corner panels are in their retracted position they are disposed below and parallel to the center panel. Side counter panels are provided forward of the corner panels and are moved in conjunction with the center panels by means of a cylinder and four bar link.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A tonneau cover for a vehicle comprising: 
       a center panel having right and left edges;  
       right and left corner panels are each connected by a pivot connector to the center panel and moveable between an extended position in which the corner panels are adjacent to right and left edges of the center panel and a retracted position in which the right and left corner panels are at least partially inboard of the center panel, wherein the pivot connectors are cam ramp pivots that shift the corner panels vertically as they are pivoted wherein the corner panels are substantially coplanar with the center panel when in the extended position and are parallel to the center panel when in the retracted position; and  
       a drive system for moving the corner panels between the extended and retracted positions.  
     
     
       2. A tonneau cover for a vehicle comprising: 
       a center panel having right and left edges;  
       right and left corner panels connected to the center panel and moveable between an extended position in which the corner panels are adjacent to right and left edges of the center panel and a retracted position in which the right and left corner panels are at least partially inboard of the center panel; and  
       a drive system for moving the corner panels between the extended and retracted positions the drive system is an electrical motor that is secured to the center panel and includes a rotary drive disk that is rotated by the motor, a pair of links connect the drive disk to the corner panels with one link being connected to each of the corner panels.  
     
     
       3. A tonneau cover for a vehicle comprising: 
       a center panel having right and left edges;  
       right and left corner panels connected to the center panel and moveable between an extended position in which the corner panels are adjacent to right and left edges of the center panel and a retracted position in which the right and left corner panels are at least partially inboard of the center panel;  
       right and left side tonneau panels are provided adjacent to and forward of a front edge of the right and left corner panels when the corner panels are in the extended position a drive system for moving the corner panels between the extended and retracted positions; and  
       a drive system for moving the corner panels between the extended and retracted positions.  
     
     
       4. The tonneau cover of claim  3  wherein the side tonneau panels are connected by a four bar link to the center panel, the four bar link is connected to a bracket that is secured to the vehicle, a drive cylinder operatively connects the four bar link, center panel and the side panels to pivot the center panel upwardly and pivot the side panels upwardly. 
     
     
       5. A tonneau cover for a vehicle having a convertible top that may be raised and lowered, the tonneau cover being formed from a rigid panel, the improvement comprising: 
       the rigid panel being formed by a center panel and right and left corner panels that are connected to the center panel and are moveable between an extended position in which the corner panels are adjacent to the center panel and a retracted position in which the right and left corner panels are at least partially inboard of the center panel;  
       a connector connects each of the right and left corner panels to the center panel, the connectors shift the corner panels vertically as they are moved wherein the corner panels are substantially coplanar with the center panel when in the extended position and are parallel to the center panel when in the retracted position; and  
       a drive system for moving the corner panels between the extended and retracted positions.  
     
     
       6. The tonneau cover of claim  5  wherein the drive system is an electrical motor that is secured to the center panel and includes a rotary drive disk that is rotated by the motor through a gear reducer, a pair of links connect the drive disk to the corner panels with one link being connected to each of the corner panels. 
     
     
       7. The tonneau cover of claim  5  wherein right and left side tonneau panels are provided adjacent to and forward of a front edge of the right and left corner panels when the corner panels are in the extended position. 
     
     
       8. The tonneau cover of claim  7  wherein the side tonneau panels are connected by a four bar link to the center panel that is connected by a hinge at a front edge to the vehicle, the four bar link is connected to a bracket that is secured to the vehicle, a drive cylinder operatively connects the four bar link, center panel and the side panels to pivot the center panel upwardly and pivot the side panels upwardly. 
     
     
       9. A tonneau cover for a vehicle having a convertible top comprising: 
       a center panel;  
       right and left side panels connected by a four bar link to the center panel that is connected by a hinge at a front edge to the vehicle, the four bar link is connected to a bracket that is secured to the vehicle, a linear actuator operatively connects the four bar link, center panel and the side panels to pivot the center panel upwardly and pivot the side panels upwardly as the convertible top is raised and lowered, the center panel and side panels forming a cover over the convertible top when stored.  
     
     
       10. The tonneau cover of claim  9  wherein the center panel has right and left edges; 
       right and left corner panels are connected to the center panel and moveable between an extended position in which the corner panels are adjacent to right and left edges of the center panel and a retracted position in which the right and left corner panels are at least partially inboard of the center panel.  
     
     
       11. The tonneau cover of claim  10  wherein a pivot connector connects each of the right and left corner panels to the center panel, the pivot connectors are cam ramp pivots that shift the corner panels vertically as they are pivoted wherein the corner panels are substantially coplanar with the center panel when in the extended position and are parallel to the center panel when in the retracted position. 
     
     
       12. The tonneau cover of claim  10  further comprising a drive system having an electrical motor that is secured to the center panel and includes a rotary drive disk that is rotated by the motor through a gear reducer, a pair of links connect the drive disk to the corner panels with one link being connected to each of the corner panels. 
     
     
       13. A tonneau cover for a vehicle having a convertible top that may be raised and lowered, the tonneau cover being formed from a rigid panel, the improvement comprising: 
       the rigid panel being formed by a center panel and right and left corner panels that are connected to the center panel and are moveable between an extended position in which the corner panels are adjacent to the center panel and a retracted position in which the right and left corner panels are at least partially inboard of the center panel; and  
       a drive system for moving the corner panels between the extended and retracted positions, wherein the drive system is a motor that is secured to the center panel and includes a drive that is rotated by the motor through a gear reducer, a pair of links connect the drive to the corner panels with one link being connected to each of the corner panels.